Description
Easy Snowballs are a delightful and colorful treat that the whole family will love. These soft cake squares are soaked in a vibrant syrup, then coated generously with desiccated coconut for a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Perfect for gatherings or a casual dessert, this recipe yields 20 servings and requires about 50 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 4 large eggs
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
- 1 cup oil
- 2½ cups cake flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
Syrup
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1½ cups water
- 2 teaspoons red food colour
Coating & Decoration
- 2-3 cups desiccated coconut
- 1 cup icing sugar (sifted)
- 1-2 tablespoons hot water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) preparing it for baking the cake batter.
- Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the 4 large eggs with 1½ cups sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb.
- Add Vanilla and Oil: Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla essence and 1 cup oil thoroughly into the egg and sugar mixture to build rich flavor and moisture.
- Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together 2½ cups cake flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients alternately with 1 cup milk into the wet mixture, mixing gently to maintain airiness.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the prepared batter into a greased baking tray, then place it in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Syrup: While the cake bakes, combine 1½ cups sugar, 1½ cups water, and 2 teaspoons red food colour in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar dissolves completely to create a vibrant syrup.
- Cut and Dip Cake Squares: Once baked and cooled slightly, cut the cake into small squares. Dip each piece into the warm syrup to soak up the sweet liquid fully.
- Coat with Coconut: Roll each syrup-soaked cake piece in 2-3 cups desiccated coconut until well coated, providing a delightful texture and finish.
- Prepare Icing Paste: Mix 1 cup sifted icing sugar with 1-2 tablespoons hot water to create a thick paste. Use this to join two coated cake pieces together if desired, enhancing the presentation and portion size.
- Set and Serve: Allow the snowballs to set briefly so the icing hardens and the flavors meld before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is cooled slightly before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Use full-fat milk for best moisture and flavor results.
- Red food colour is optional but traditional for the vibrant look.
- Adjust syrup sweetness to taste by changing sugar quantity if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep the texture soft.
